Author Archives: JD DeLuzio

Richard Donner dead at 91

Director Richard Donner has died. He was 91 years old.

Most people here will know Donner for directing Superman (1978), the film that proved a big-budget superhero movie could reach the adults as well as the kids, and for his involvement with the Lethal Weapon franchise. His long history behind the camera also includes The Goonies and episodes of several genre series, including The Six Million Dollar Man, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and The Twilight Zone— most notably “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.”

In the late sixties, he introduced a generation of kids to the style of the old movie serials with Danger Island. Made for The Banana Splits, it ran in installments during the first season and was rerun in its entirety during subsequent seasons.

Rest in Peace.

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Midsummer Movie Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1968)

The lunatic, the lover, and the poet
Are of imagination all compact.
–Theseus (V.i.7-8)

Two years ago I reviewed two film productions here of Shakespeare’s fantasy-filled play A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935, 1999). I even suggested that, given the sheer number of adaptations, it might become a midsummer tradition.

We missed last year, but…. Yeah, last year. Let’s try again, with a 1968 production that brings Diana Rigg (likely best-known to Bureau-cats for her roles in Avengers and Game of Thrones), Helen Mirren, Ian Holm (Bilbo to you), Judi Dench (many roles, but if you’re here, you likely thought of M), Paul Rogers, and nudity to Shakespeare’s comedy.

Greek mythology, faeries, magic, lovers young and old, and a well-meaning troupe of dubious actors await you.

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Superman & Lois Review: “Man of Steel” and “Holding the Wrench”

“Are you out of your mind? You don’t go snooping around the guy from another world’s murder van!”

Superman faces actual life-threatening danger. The Captain Luthor arc ends for now, but a larger threat looms.

Meanwhile, on Smallville: The Next Generation, The Cushing Family drama intensifies as the Kent boys leave football behind and Lois sees a therapist.

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David Anthony Kraft, R.I.P.

David Anthony Kraft, comic-book writer, rock journalist, SF/fantasy publisher, and creator of Comics Interview, has died after a prolonged battle with COVID-related pneumonia. He was 68 years old.

Kraft wrote for several companies, and many remember him best as one of the writers who introduced social issues into his comic-book stories. He had particularly memorable runs on The Defenders and She-Hulk.

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